This Weekend's Sleeper Hit: Why Everyone's Sleeping on Mitchell vs Hemphill

By Lewis Barnett 27 August, 2025 5 mins read 349 Views

Look, I get it. When you've got Darren Till and Luke Rockhold headlining, plus Tony Ferguson stepping into the Misfits ring, it's easy to overlook what might actually be the best pure boxing match on Saturday's card.

But here's the thing – Ty Mitchell vs Sean Hemphill for the MFB Pro Super Middleweight Title is going to be an absolute war.

I've been covering these Misfits events since they started getting serious about mixing real fighters with their influencer spectacles, and this matchup has all the ingredients for something special. Mitchell's riding high after that brutal TKO over Idris Virgo back in May (still can't believe how quickly that ended), and now he's moving up to super-middleweight to chase his second MFB Pro belt.

Meanwhile, Hemphill just embarrassed Mark Jeffers at Oakwell Football ground in June. And trust me, Jeffers was supposed to win that fight. The American's 19-2 record isn't padded either – dude can actually fight.

Hear this Article

Manchester's Going to Be Electric

The AO Arena holds about 21,000 people, and with Mitchell being the hometown favorite (well, Derby-born but close enough), the atmosphere is going to be insane when these two step in there Saturday night.

First bell rings at 7pm BST, but don't expect Mitchell-Hemphill until somewhere between 8-9pm. That's actually perfect timing – late enough that the crowd's warmed up, early enough that people aren't checking their phones yet.

My prediction? This goes the distance and gets messy in the best possible way.

DAZN's Your Only Option (Sorry)

Yeah, it's behind the DAZN paywall again. £9.99 monthly if you commit to the year, £19.99 if you want flexibility. Honestly, for what you're getting with this entire card, it's not terrible value.

The DAZN app works fine on mobile too, which is clutch if you're watching at a bar or friend's place. Just make sure your wifi doesn't suck because there's nothing worse than buffering during a knockout.

The Rest of This Ridiculous Card

Since we're here, might as well run through what else is happening:

Till vs Rockhold is obviously the main event everyone's talking about. Two former UFC contenders who probably should've fought years ago when it mattered more, but whatever.

Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi is either going to be hilarious or depressing, depending on how you feel about watching legends fight TikTok stars. (I'm leaning toward depressing, but Ferguson's been surprising people lately.)

Joey Essex is fighting someone called Numeiro, which... sure, why not? At this point I've stopped questioning Misfits' booking decisions.

The women's fights – Carla Jade vs Daryn Harris and Demi Sims vs Nadeshi Hopkins – deserve more attention than they'll probably get. Both should be competitive.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Here's what's really interesting about Mitchell vs Hemphill: it represents everything Misfits is trying to become. Real fighters, legitimate titles, proper boxing in between the circus acts.

Mitchell's three-fight win streak has been impressive, but stepping up in weight against a proven pro like Hemphill? That's a different challenge entirely. The American didn't travel across the Atlantic to lose, and his performance against Jeffers proved he belongs at this level.

Honestly, this might steal the show.

Just don't tell the Till fans I said that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is it recommended that a boxing beginner train?

Beginners are advised to aim for 2 to 3 boxing sessions per weeks, with adequate time between each session for recovery and rest. As you acclimate to the sport and improve your fitness, you may gradually increase the frequency and intensity of your training.

How can I find the best size and type for my boxing gloves?

Size and type depend on weight, level of protection needed, and the activity that you are engaging in. Gloves can be measured in ounces. Many beginners start off with lighter gloves, such as 12oz. or 14oz. for training. As they progress into sparring, heavier gloves are used.

Can I learn Boxing at Home?

If you want to be sure that you are learning the right techniques, you should train in a boxing gym with an experienced coach. A boxing club also offers the equipment you need and the chance to work with other people.

How should I wrap my hand for boxing?

Hand wraps are essential for boxing as they protect your hands and wrists. Unwind the wraps, place the thumb loop on your thumb and extend the wrap to the back of your hands. Then, wrap your wrist multiple times. Wrap the Velcro around your wrist, crisscrossing your fingers and covering your knuckles.

What are some basic boxing moves?

The fundamental punches in boxing include the jab, which is a quick, straight punch thrown with your lead hand; the cross, a powerful straight punch delivered with your rear hand; the hook, a semi-circular punch aimed at the side of your opponent's head or body; and the uppercut, an upward strike aimed at the underside of your opponent's chin or body.

Statistics

Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
Approximately 50% of beginner boxers drop out within the first six months, highlighting the importance of sustaining motivation and setting realistic goals.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.

External Links

How To

How to build a home boxing workout

A structured routine is the first step in creating a boxing exercise at home. Combining cardiovascular exercises like jumping rope and running to increase endurance with muscle-building strength training exercises such squats, push-ups or core workouts will help you build your muscles. When shadowboxing focus on your stance as well as punching form. Bag rounds are a great way to work on power and combinations if you have a heavybag.